4 4 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • M A Y 2 0 1 9
T
he only hospital-acquired condition that increased in vol-
ume between 2014 and 2017? Pressure injuries, which
rose by 6%. By point of comparison, surgical site infec-
tion rates were actually neutral during that period. I've
been tracking pressure injuries over 3 decades, and I fear
the problem is even worse than those statistics suggest.
True, it's difficult to determine how many pressure injuries occur
perioperatively because they usually don't present for hours or days
after surgery. Plus, your staff is likely unaware that there's been an
injury — it's not something they can always ID on the spot. But even
though they can't see them, your team plays a key role in pressure
injury prevention.
Can We Predict and Prevent Pressure Injuries?
Match redistribution and relief devices with the level of susceptibility.
• UNDER PRESSURE Pressure injuries are, distressingly, on the rise. Key to preventing them is predicting which patients are
most likely to develop one.
Pamela
Bevelhymer,
RN,
BSN,
CNOR
Susan M. Scott, MSN, RN, WOC Nurse | Memphis, Tenn.